Means of transmitting information



March 27, 1945. c. H. KEAN I 2,372,582

MEANS OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION 7 x Filed Nov. 2/1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 CZa/zL-A'L Wm, INVENTOR.

BY W;

ATTORNEY.

'fi. 1945- c. H. KEANY 2,372,582

MEANS OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION Filed Nov. 2', 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY line.

I Patented 1945 oiwrao stares PATENT mm mass or TRANSMITTING mroam'rron.

Clare H. Kean, Houston, Tex, assignor to Stand-, ard Oil Development Company, a corporation of Delaware Application November 2, 1940, Serial No. 364,024 6 Claims. (o1. 73- -1511) The present invention is directed-to the transmission of sign ls through an elastic medium.

It is an object of the present invention to set up high frequency acoustic vibrations in a wire line and to convey measurements or signals by means of these vibrations.

It is another object of the present invention to transrrit signalsfrom a temperature indicat ing device suspended ina bore hole by a wire line through said wire line to the surface of the earth. It is a further object of the present invention to transmit signals from a pressure indicating device suspended by a wire line through said wire Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be seen from a reading of the following description taken-with'the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1v is a diagrammatic view showing one modification of the present invention arranged with a pressure indicating portion suspended in ranged at the surface of the earth;.

Figs. 2 and 3 are views of portions of the ap paratus illustrated in Fig. 1; t

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a portion of another modification ofthe present invention;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of another modification oi the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5;

I a 'bore hole and with thereceiving portion armore fully described later.

Fig. 7 is avicwroi' a typical record which may be obtained with the apparatus shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 8-is'a fragmentary view of a portion of the wiringdiagram which may be substituted for a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3; and

. Fig. 9 is afragmentary view showing another arrangement of the apparatus.

Referring specifically to the drawings and first to-Flg. 1, a'casing it) arranged in a borehole has its upper end providedwitha cap it in which there is an openingcontrolled by a stuffing box 82. The surface oi the earth is indicated by numeral iii. A wire line M arranged to cooperate with stufing box E2 to make a tight joint is arranged on a reel or hoist l5 provided with support 2.

Firmly fastened to the lower end oiwire line id is an elongated piece of strongly magnetostrictive substance is. It is preferred to use anickel tube for unit it, but other shapes of bodies and other strongly magnetostrictive materials, such as cobalt-nickel alloy, may be used;

Surrounding the strongly magnetostrictive unit l6 isa coil of wire ii, the ends of which are con-- nected by acircuit including an electromagnetically operated switch l8, battery it, resistance This circuit is all arranged methods of retaining member it in position may be resorted to, however; for example, the retaining member may be attached to one end of the member leaving the remainder free to vibrate.

- Also arranged within casing 22 is an electric motor 25 electricallyconnected to battery 25 to cause rotation of the motor. Connected to the shaft 26 of the motor is a disk 27 which is thereby rotatedby the motor. The disk 27 will be A conductor 28 makes contact with shaft 25 of the motor and is electrically connected to a circuit which includes battery 29, and solenoid ,3!) which connects to the pointer which will be hereafter more fully described. A top view of disk 27 is illustrated in Fig. 2. As indicated in the drawings, the disk 27 is-composed ofinsulating material and has its upper surface provided with a single radial conductor 3.2 electrically con-.

nected to drive shaft 28. In like manner, the lower portion of the disk, a view of which is shown I in Fig. 3, is provided with a single radial conduetor 33which extends from the circumference to the center of the disk and makes an electrical contact -with the shaft 26. A conductor 36 electrically connected to the case 22 is provided to make contact with the upper surface of disk 21.

Arranged in the lower portion of case22 is a pressure responsive tube 35 having one end closed with pointer 3i attached thereto and the other end attached to casing 22 and provided with a diaphragm 35, whereby exterior pressure may be transmitted into the interior of the tube. V

At the other end of wire line It is clamped a piece of magnetostrictive material 37, preferably I a nickel tube similar to unit it, by means of clamps 38. TMagnetostrictive member 31 is provided with a retaining member 5 extending from support 2 to the center portion of the member.

It may be pointed out that members it and 31 should be supported in the same manner, so that they will vibrate in a corresponding manner and since It has its center fixed in position with its ends free to vibrate, 31 should be supported in a corresponding manner.

A solenoid 39 is arranged. over a portion of the strongly magnetostrictive material 31 and is electrically connected to alternating current ampliher 40. Alternating current amplifier 40 is, in turn, electrically connected to a step down transformer 49 which, in turn, is connected to bridge rectifier 42 which has connected across it the telephone receiver 43. Transformer 4| and bridge rectifier 42 together serve to rectify and demodulate the signals received.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 operates in the following manner. The motor continually rotates disk 21 as the device is lowered into. the bore hole. As the device is being lowered, it is necessary that element 31 be removed from the wire line inorder that the-wire line pass through stuffing box l2.

When it is desired to take a reading, the downward movement of the device-must be stopped and the element 31 clamped on the wire line. 'As disk 21 rotates, two signals are transmitted to the surface during every revolution. When contact strip 33 of disk 21 touches pointer 3|, the electrical circuit including battery 29 and solenoid 30 is completed, which, in turn, closes switch l8. The closing of the switch allows the condenser 2| to discharge which produces a train of vibrations in magnetostrictive unit It which are transmitted by wire line I4. The vibrations transmitted by the wire lin are communicated to strongly magnetostrictive unit 31 and change the magnetic properties of this material, inducing an electrical pulse in solenoid 39 which is, in turn, transmitted to alternating current amplifier 40, then step down transformer 4| and rectifier 42 so that a signal is transmitted to telephone receiver 43 and may be heard by an operator. Asthe disk 21 continues to operate, the strip 32 comes in contact with pointer 34 which, in turn, transmits another signal by wire line l4 which appears at the surface of the earth. .It will be apparent that a change in the pressure acting on diaphragm 36 will cause the end of tube 35 to move,

changing the position of pointer 3|, with respect to the circumference of disk 21, thereby producing a change in the time interval between the consecutive signals produced by contact of pointer 3| with contact strip '33. The signals produced by contact of pointer 34 with contact strip '32 occur at uniformly recurring intervals and accordingly act as reference points. A change in pressure acting on diaphragm 38 will accordingly not onlychange the time interval between consecutive pulses produced byfcontact between pointer 31 with strip 33' while pointer II is in motion but will also cause a shift in the time interval between the pulse produced by pointer 3| and and the device lowered until another reading is In Fig. 4 is illustrated a fragmental view of the signalling device arranged to be attached to the wire line l4 for transmitting temperature variations in the bore hole. It will be seen that this modification of the invention differs from strip 44 has been substituted for the Bourdon tube 35 shown in Fig. 1. In the device shown in Fig. 4 the bimetallic strip '44 changes the position of contact 45 in response to the temperature to which it is subjected. The receiving device for the signals emitted by this modification of the invention is exactly the same as that shown by Fig. l and for this reason has not been again illustrated.

Fig.5 illustrates another modification of the present invention arranged for the transmission of both pressure and temperature indications to the surface of the earth. It will be seen that this apparatus is provided both with a bimetallic strip 44 and a pressure responsive tube 35, bimetallic strip 44 carrying stylu 45 which makes contact with the rotating disk 21, while tube 35 For example, in the modification shown in Fig. 5,

the upper surface of rotating disk '21 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1 and specifically illustrated in Fig. 2. The lower surface of the rotating disk 21 may, however, be,provided with triple conductors 49 which extend radially from the center of the disk, but do not extend entirely to the circumference, and the double conductors 48 which beginv at the circumference of the disk, but do I not extend entirely to the axis thereof. Stylus mechanically connected to bimetallic strip 44 is arranged to make electrical contact with conductors 45, while stylus 3| mechanically connected to the Bourdon tube 35 is arranged to make electrical contact with double conductors 48, but not with the tri le conductors 49. Both conductors 48 and 48 are electrically connected to the shaft 26 by which the disk is rotated.

A typical record which may be obtained from the device illustrated in Fig. 5 appears in Fig. '7. The double notch designated'by numeral 54 indicates the contact'of stylus 3i with doubleconduct0rs'48, while the single point of 5| illustrates the point of contact of stylus 34 with conductor 32 which serves as the reference point for the readings. The triple notch designated by numeral 52 illustrates the contact of stylus 45 with triple conductors 49. It will be evident as the temperature and pressure conditions to which the pressure responsive tube and the bimetallic strip are subjected change, the distance between the desired, when element 31 is again clamped onto.

the wire line and another reading is taken.

various indications appearing on the tape, as

illustrated in Fig. 7, changes, thereby indicating the pressure and temperature changes to which the apparatus is subjected.

While I have described only the production of high frequency waves in a line by means of a strongly magneto-strictive material, other means for producing such frequencies may also be em- 2,372,582 ployed. For example, one may use a piezoeelec oi contact therewith is arranged magnetostrictive body 66 surrounded by solenoid 39 which may be electrically connected to the circuits illustrated inFig. 1 or 5. In this modification of' the present invention the frequencies set up in-the magnetostrictive body 64 are transmitted to the col,-

magnetically operated switch H! was controlled by current flowing in solenoid 30 in the previously illustrated modifications.

Conductor 28 is connected to the 27 and to suitable styli arranged on measurins instruments, such; as bimetallic strips and Bourdon tubes, as shown in the previous figures.

The rotating disk causes"momentary-pulses of I v tain, other characteristics such,--for\ example, as

current which flow through solenoid 59, causing switch 60 to open and switch iii to close.

An electrical circuit including condenser 62, re-

sistance 63, and battery 64 connected to ground 65, is arranged with an electrical connection to conductor 56 and another to a fixed contact of switch 6|. When switch 6| is open condenser 62 receives a charge, which may be=dischargedby closing switch 6|.

In operation a pulse'of current through solenoid 59 causes switch ti to close and allows a charge of current to be transmitted to plate 55. which, in turn, causes a high-frequency pulse to be transmitted by piezo-electric crystal .53 to rotating disk umn of. fluid above it, and" this column of fluid transmits the frequencies to the-strongly mag netostrictive body 66 where, in turn, they may pass to suitable receiving means; This modification may be'usedjor transmitting pressure and temperature indications in the devices previously illustrated. I a

While I have shown specificmodificationsoi the present invention, it is not my intention to be limited to these specific modifications, but to claim the invention as broadly as the prior art permits. For example, while pressure and temperature are the characteristics within a bore hole which it is most frequently desired to obthe velocity of the flowing fluid therein may be desired. It will be apparent to the skilled work-" er that they equipment above described may be modified lto-transmit other signals than those specifically disclosed.

Having fully disclosed the present invention,

what I desire to claim is: I v 1. Apparatus for transmitting signals, comprising, in combination, a metallic cable, two bodies constructed of strongly magnetostrictive material 1 cable and widely separated fromeach other, a

solenoid surrounding each of said strongly mag wire line i8. As soon as the current pulse insolenoid 59 is terminated, switch 6! opens and switch to closes, connecting plates 53 and as to' ground 65, thereby discharging them and pre-, paring the piezo-electric crystal to receive another pulse. Pulses transmitted bythisdevice may be received at the surface of the earth-with exactly the same type of apparatus illustrated in the previous modifications.

lhe apparatus illustrated in the preceding fi ures is particularly'useful for transmitting information alon a wire line. -Wire lines are fre:

quently used in the oil industry .for lowering equipment into oil wells, one of the most popular lines being, for example, a single wire of steel,- When such .8.- line is used in lowering the equipment in the well,

approximately. 1 in. diameter.

signals may be readily transmitted to the surface of theearth. However, onoccasion, it may be desired ment of t e equipment. For example, it may be desirable tolower suitableiequipments by means arranged in physical contact to said metallic netostrictive bodies, an electrical circuitconnect ed'to one of said solenoids provided withmeans 'for producing a signal a functionbf which varies, with changes ina value to be transmitted, and

an electrical circuit connected with said other solenoid'having arranged therein means for remodified signal to an operator.

' 2. Apparatus .for geophysical prospecting prising, in combination, a containeradapted to bemoved along the bore. of a we'll, a metallic cable adapted to suspend said container with the lower end of the cable extending into the conthe/containerand attached to the-lower end of resort toiother means for attach oisucker rods or drill pipe. If such is desired,

the means. previously described may be used for transmitting signals by these elastic rods.

On some occasions, it may be desirable to transmit a signal to a column of liquid rather than through .an elastic metal body. For example, it may be desirable to transmit the signal through the column of liquid retained byaeas-i ing, or a string of tubing, instead of by the string of tubing itself. If such is desired, the equipment may besuitably arranged for carrying out such a transmission. The fragmentaryview of apparatus suitablefor this purpose is shown iri Fig. 9. In accordance with this figure, a strongly magnetostrictive body M is arranged withinthe lower end ofthe tubingftb, but out of contact therewith. Magnetostrictive body Bdis arranged within a solenoid ll, which may be connected with any of the electrical circuits illustrated in Figs. 1,

tier 5. Inthe upper end of the tubing, butout l container, asecond conducting element mounted on the member. responsive to physical'conditions and arranged to touch the first conducting eleg tainerand the upper .end of the cable adapted to remain at the surface of the earth, a means in the metallic cable, for transforming electrical oscillations into mechanical oscillations, an electrical circuit including a switch, said circuit being arranged to-oscillate electrically upon the operation of said switch and arranged to co-oper ate with said means to set up mechanical oscillaftionftherein upon operation oi'the switch, a a motor including a drive shaft arranged in the container, a conducting elementymechanically secured to'the drive -shaft for rotation therewith with at least one boundary line or the'conducts ing element extending radially with respect t6 the drive shaft, a member responsive to physical conditions adjacent the container mounted in the rnent upon each-rotation of the drive shaft and to move cii'cumierentially with respect to theredial boundary of said first conducting. element of changes in the physical conditions adjacent the container to which the member is responsive,

means electrically connectingthe first conducting element and the second conducting-element coin- I including a coil arranged to cooperate with 3. Apparatus for geophysical prospecting comprising, in combination, a container adapted to be moved along the bore of a well, a metallic cable adapted to suspend said'oontainer with the a lower end of the cable extending into the container and the upper end of the cable adapted to remain at the surface of'the earth, a means for transforming electrical oscillations into mechanical'oscillations arranged within the container and attached to the lower end of themetallic cable, an electrical circuit including a switch arranged to oscillate electrically upon the operationof the switch and to cooperate-with said a means to set up mechanicai oscillations therein, 7

upon oscillatingelectrically, a motor including a drive shattan'anged in the container, a' nonconducting disc mounted on the drive shaft for a rotation therewith, afirst conducting element -mounted on one race of thedisk with one edge oi the element extending radiallywith respect to the drive shaft, a member'responsive to a physicalcondition adjacentthe container mountin contact with the first conducting element'upon each rotation o! the disk and to move circum-- ierentially with respect to the radial edge of the first conducting element upon changes in the physical condition adiacent the container to which the member is responsive, means electri' "cally connecting the first conducting element with the second conducting element including a coil arranged taco-operate with the switch to operate it upon changes in the magnitude of current flowing through the coil and a source of direct current in series with the coil. I

'4.'A device in accordance with claim 3 in Whichthe member responsive to a physical conedition adjacent the container isresponsive' to temperature changes ,adiacentthe container. I

5. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which the member responsive to a physical condition adjacent the container is responsive to pressure changes adjacent the container.

6. A device in accordance with claim 3 'provided with acreceivingmeans adapted to be arranged atthe surface of the earth and inciuding amag'netostrictive member attached to'the ed in'the container, asecond conducting element mounted on said member and arranged to come metallic cable at the surface or the earth and a solenoid arranged to surround at least a portion of said magnetostrictive member.

' v -CLAREH;KEAN.' 

